Ohio/Kentucky bridge set to reopen December 23

Officials in Kentucky say that drivers will have several more weeks of detours before they can once again use a major bridge connecting Kentucky and Ohio.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says that the target date for reopening the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Covington, Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio, is set for December 23. Inspectors say that the bridge is structurally sound but will still require major repairs before it can reopen.

The both directions of the bridge were closed following a November 11 hazmat crash involving two commercial vehicles that sparked a major fire. Both truck drivers survived and were not seriously hurt.

As the Brent Spence Bridge will remain closed for at least another month, take a look at detour information shared by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet below.

1. Through traffic traveling NB on I-75/71 from Kentucky is being detoured at I-275 WB to I-75 NB or I-275 EB to I-471 NB and then to I-71 NB.
2. I-71 SB traffic is being detoured to I-471 SB and then to I-275 WB.
3. I-75 SB traffic is being detoured to I-275 WB.
4. Additional detour options in and around Cincinnati include I-471, I-71, I-74, and I-275 and U.S. 50, but expect heavier-than-normal traffic.
5. Local traffic can use I-471 (Daniel Carter Beard Bridge) between Cincinnati and Newport, the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge (U.S. 25), and the Taylor Southgate Bridge (U.S. 27).
6. Local passenger vehicle (non-commercial) traffic may also use the John A. Roebling Bridge (KY 17). Heavy trucks and buses are prohibited on the bridge.

The  John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was closed to all traffic on Wednesday night due to a number of commercial vehicles violating the 11 ton weight limit. The bridge reopened to non-commercial vehicle traffic only on Friday night.